THE ZEPPELIN RAID.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 5 September 1916, Page 3

THE ZEPPELIN RAID.

AN OFFICIAL ACCOUNT. LONDON, Sept. .3., Official: The air raid was a most formidable one, the principal theatres of operations being the Eastern counties; the objectives apparently being London and the in'dnstr.ial centres of the midlands. Our new measures for reduction of obscuration of lights undoubtedly proved efficacious, because the raiding squadron, instead of steering a steady course, like last autumn and spring raids,, it groped about in the darkness, searching for a safe avenue of approach of their objectives. Only three were able to approach the outskirts, of London. One appeared over the northern districts at 2.25. Search lights immediately picked it up, and anti-aircraft guns, and aeroplanes heavily engaged it. After a few minutes the airship burst into flame, and fell rapidly, destroyed. We found the wreckage, engines,i and the halfburned bodies of the crew i

Our experts hope to be able to reconstruct portions of the framework. A largo amount of wood was used in the framework; which seems to point to a shortage of aluminium’** in Germany. London defences drove off the other two without being able to approach the city’s centre. A great number of bombs were dropped promiscuously on East Anglia and th e south-eastern counties.

Complete reports of the damage and casualties arc not received. A list will be issued on Monday. Many bombs fell' in the sea and in remote country districts. Persons who picked up fragments are ordered to submit them to the authorities, and if they are valueless for reconstruction they will be returned to the finders. A "Weekly Despatch” eye-witness states he was awakened by the sound of bombs and heavy gunfire. Search lights were playing in all directions. One Zeppelin was visible and almost stationary for five minutes, it disappeared for another five minutes in a cloud, then wo wire all suddenly aware of a bright glow in the cloudy mist.This developed into a long sausage-

like flame, and the sky was lit up by the flaming mass. It took two minutes

,to descend. It seemed that bofon I reaching the ground it was completely consumed. The crowd sang: a song ii honour of the occasion. Th e people’s delight was boundless. GERMAN NEWSPAPERS VERY UNEASY THE HAGUE, Sept. 2. German newspapers manifest great uneasiness regarding Bulgaria. They admit that the frontiers are difficult to defend and that should Greece join the Entente Bulgaria may possibly be compelled to sue for. peace, which would be a calamity for the Central Powers. I BULGARIAN RETREAT DEVELOPING INTO ROUT. LONDON, Sept. 2. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Athens correspondent says: The Bulgarians are falling back rapidly towards Monastir and the Fiorina plains. The Serbs are pressing on, despite sharp counter attacks by a Bulgar column upon the slopes of Gornichevo, which was detailed to cover the Bulgar retreat. The attack failed, with heavy Bulgar loss, the Serbs capturing three Krupp guns. The retreat towards Monostir is so hurried that it may soon bo turned into a rout. The Bulgurs arc already unable to remove their wounded. KING AND CROWN PRINCE QUARREL. ROME, Sept. 2. The “Mcssagero” reports a violent auarrcl between the King and the Bulgarian Crown Prince (Prince Boris), on account of the latter’s Russophile tendencies. The King ordered Prince Boris to take his place in the army. Boris refused, and is now in hiding in Sofia. BULGARIANS RETREATING. ATHENS, Sept. 2. The Bulgarans have withdrawn from Soroviteh towards the passes of Kirlideven and Banitza. Serbian cavalry have reached Soroviteh. The Bulgarians continue to retreat all along the Florina-Monastir valley.